March 15, 2014

Canada: BCIT advises students on measles

On March 14, Fraser Health informed BCIT that a student attending classes at the Burnaby campus on March 6 and March 7 in Building NE-1 has now been diagnosed with a confirmed case of measles.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are top priorities and BCIT is taking this situation seriously. We are assisting Fraser Health as they take precautionary measures to notify everyone and provide the appropriate medical guidance.

All students and staff in classes affected have been notified and as a precautionary measure, we are notifying all students who attend the BCIT Burnaby campus.

If you develop a fever, cough and rash, or other symptoms that may be measles, you should stay at home and keep away from others who may not be immune. Contact your physician, who will advise you as to whether you should seek care in-person, or phone HealthLinkBC by dialing 8-1-1.

BCIT will not be asking for proof of immunization, and we anticipate staff and students will act in the best interest of their own health, and the health of the community by returning to BCIT based on the immunization guidelines below:

Fraser Health recommends that if you were in NE 1 on March 6 or 7 you may return to BCIT on Monday, March 17 if:

• you have had 2 immunizations of measles-containing vaccine after 1 year of age. This is considered immune. No additional immunization is recommended.

• you were born before January 1, 1970 (January 1, 1957 for health care workers). You are likely immune due to a previous measles infection. No immunization is recommended.

Comments

On March 14, Fraser Health informed BCIT that a student attending classes at the Burnaby campus on March 6 and March 7 in Building NE-1 has now been diagnosed with a confirmed case of measles.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are top priorities and BCIT is taking this situation seriously. We are assisting Fraser Health as they take precautionary measures to notify everyone and provide the appropriate medical guidance.

All students and staff in classes affected have been notified and as a precautionary measure, we are notifying all students who attend the BCIT Burnaby campus.

If you develop a fever, cough and rash, or other symptoms that may be measles, you should stay at home and keep away from others who may not be immune. Contact your physician, who will advise you as to whether you should seek care in-person, or phone HealthLinkBC by dialing 8-1-1.

BCIT will not be asking for proof of immunization, and we anticipate staff and students will act in the best interest of their own health, and the health of the community by returning to BCIT based on the immunization guidelines below:

Fraser Health recommends that if you were in NE 1 on March 6 or 7 you may return to BCIT on Monday, March 17 if:

• you have had 2 immunizations of measles-containing vaccine after 1 year of age. This is considered immune. No additional immunization is recommended.

• you were born before January 1, 1970 (January 1, 1957 for health care workers). You are likely immune due to a previous measles infection. No immunization is recommended.